Changeable exhibitor



.Nov. 10, 1931.

A. A. HUSEBY ET AL CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 14, 1951 Jame/T2177 5.-

Edmond .HQ H1115 6b Nov. 10, 1931. A. A. HUSEBY ET AL 1,831,450

' CHANGEABLE EXHIBI TOR File'd March 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFEQE ALBERT A. HUSEBY AND EDMOND A. HUSEBY, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS CI -IANGEABLE EXHIBITOR Application filed March 14, 1931.

This invention relates'to changeable exhibitors of the motoroperated double reel and web type, designed more particularly, although not exclusively, as an advertisement displaying apparatus.

Changeable exhibitors of this type commonly employ a suitable supporting frame, reels or spools journaled at opposite ends of the frame, a paper web or sheet adapted to be wound back and forth between the spools or reels, a motor, means for drivingly connecting the motor alternately with said spools, and means for intermittently interrupting the movement of the'web when printed matter thereon, such as an advertisement, has been brought into full view, for a suflicient time to enable the advertisement to be read, and means for re-winding the web after the last advertisement has been displayed. In

some instances. the forward and backward winding operations are automatically set in operation by pneumatic or electric means controlled by the web itself.

The interruption of the winding movement when each display advertisement has been brought into view, and the subsequent restarting of the winding movement involve frequent shifting of clutches, timing devices,

and, usually, the use of brake devices to prevent over-running; and one object of the present invention has been to provide an apparatus of the type referred to which will do away with the repeated stopping and starting of the travel of the web between successive displays, and thus simplify and cheapen the apparatus. This object we attain by a novel mechanism according to which the forward travel of the web is continuous but its speed 0 is alternately varied between fast and slow.

That is to say, the web is rapidly advanced until the first display advertisement is in full view. and the movement of the web is then slowed down for a period suflicient to enable the advertisement to be read. The webis then speeded up, and these operations are successively repeated with the ramaining display advertisements, until the last advertisement has been displayed. The reverse winding isthen automatically thrown in, and

Serial No. 522,550.

the web is rapidly re-wound on the delivery spool.

Another object of the invention, which lends itself to simplicity and economy of construction, is to provide a changeable exhibitor at; well adapted toutilize the well known music roll and she t operating mechanism common in self-playing musical instruments; this mechanism being, however, modified, in accordance with our invention, to effect the alternate fast and slow rotary movements of the spools automatically controlled by the web or sheet.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide a simple manually operable means -13 by which the forward movement of the web maybe stopped and the re-wind thrown in, or the re-wind movement stopped and the forward movement thrown in at any desired point in the travel of the web.

Still other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will be apparent topersons skilled in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description; taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in l which we have illustrated one practical and efficient embodiment of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus to showing the display sheet or web fully wound on the delivery spool.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, partly broken out, and viewed from the bottom of Fig. 3 is a detailed group view of the arts of a valve which controls the speed of the motor.

Fig. l is a horizontal section through the upper movable member of the valve, showing one position of the ports.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the other position of the ports.

Fi 6 is a vertical transverse section through a pneumatic switch that controls the clutch motor.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section through the suction control box of the main vacuum motor.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through i a manually operated vent valve controlling the forward and re-roll vent ducts.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the advertising web or sheet, broken out between its ends.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates as an entirety a rectangular frame, and 11 and 12 designate respectively, delivery and receiving spools journaled in the ends of the frame 10. 13 designates as an entirety the web or sheet that is wound back and forth on and between the spools 11 and 12. By reference to Fig. 9 it will be observed that the sheet 13 carries a group of printed advertisements that are respectively located on successive sections 13 of uniform length. The left end of the web as shown in Fig. 9 is its forward end, and at the forward edge of the first advertising display section 13 is a hole 14, and slightly in rear of the forward edge of the rear or last advertising section 13 is a hole 15, these holes cooperating with ports in a tracker duct, hereinafter described, to automatically set in operation the forward and re-roll movements of the web. In the sheet are also cut a group of slots 16, each associated'with one of the sections 13 and extending rearwardly of the forward end of each section.

Adjacent to each of the spools 11 and 12 are tracker bars 17 and 18, which guide the web in its travel between the spools and maintain the portion of the web between the tracker bars in a flat plane parallel with the main supporting frame 10. The tracker bar 18 is formed with a forward vent duct 19 that cooperates with the hole 14 of the web 13, a re-roll vent duct 20 that cooperates with the hole 15 in the web, and a slow speed vent duct 21 that cooperates with the slots 16 in the web.

Mounted in the frame 10 is a vacuum motor designated as an entirety by 22. This is a common and well known motor employed in self-playing musical instruments for driving the music sheet rolls or spools, and consists of a group of bellows, the movable sides of which are operatively connected to a multiple crank shaft 23. On one end of this shaft is a sprocket wheel 24 that, through a sprocket chain 25, drives a sprocket wheel 26 fast on a counter shaft 27. Splined on the counter shaft 27 is a slidable clutch 28 formed on one side with a pinion 29 adapted to be thrown into and out of mesh with a gear 30 fast on the driving chuck 31 of the receiving spool 12. The other face of the clutch 28 carries pins or teeth adapted to be thrown into and out of engagement with cooperating pins or teeth on the face of a sprocket wheel 32 loose on the shaft 27 and drivingly connected by a sprocket chain 33 (equipped with a suitable tension device 34) with a sprocket wheel 35 keyed on the chuck 36 of the delivery spool 11. The clutch 28 is shifted by a pneumatic motor comprising a pair of bellows 37 and 38, the movable sides of which are operatively connected to and actuate a slidable clutch shifter rod 39 that, in turn, is pivoted to and actuates a clutch shifter lever 40. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the bellows 37 of the clutch motor has shifted the drive onto the receiving spool 12. l/Vhen the clutch shifting motor is reversed and the bellows 38 energized, the drive is manifestly shifted to the delivery spool 11, causing the re-winding or re-rolling of the web on the latter. The last described mechanism for winding the web back and forth between the spools 11 and 12 is an old and well known mechanism used in self-playing musical instruments.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, 41 designates a pipe leading from an exhaust pump or reservoir (not shown) by which a continuous suction or partial vacuum ismaintained in the pipe 41. This pipe leads into a box 42 containing two chambers 43 and 44 separated by a flexible diaphragm 45 carrying a pad 46. The pipe 41 leads into the chamber 43, and the two chambers 43 and 44 are connected by a bleed duct 47. From the chamber 43 a pipe 48 leads into the vacuum motor 22, and the diaphragm pad 46 normally uncovers the end of the pipe 48, as shown in Fig. 7, so long as the chambers 43 and 44 are under equal degrees of vacuum, and the motor 22 operates at normal speed. In the side of an inwardly projecting portion of the pipe 48, however, is

a small hole 49, by means of which the motor is thrown into low speed, as hereinafter described.

From the main exhaust pipe 41 a pipe 50 leads into a chamber 51 (Fig. 6) formed in the casing 52 of a pneumatic switch that controls the clutch motor. The chamber 51 is, of course, normally under the same suction or vacuum as the chambers 43 and 44 of the suction control box 42, and this chamber 51 extends the full width of the casing 52. In each side of the box 52 are formed accessory chambers 53 and 54. Each accessory chamber 53 is shut off by a diaphragm 55 from the main suction chamber 51, but is in constant communication with the latter through a bleed vent 56, so that, normally, the pressures in the chambers 51 and 53 are equal and the diaphragm 55 remains in the position shown in Fig. 6. Each accessory chamber 54 is normally shut off from the main suction chamber 51 by a valve 56, and is in communication by a port 57 with atmosphere. The valve 56 is a double-acting valve so mounted that, according to its position, it either shuts off the chamber 54 from the atmosphere and puts it into communication with the main suction chamber 51, or vice versa. The valve 56 is influenced by the diaphragm 55 to which it is connected by a link 58. From one of the chambers 54 a pipe 59 leads into the bellows 37 of the clutch motor, and fromthe other chamber 54 a similar pipe leads into the bellows 38 of the clutch motor. One of the chambers 53 is connected by a vent tube 61 (leading through the motor speed controlling valve described) with, the forward tracker bar vent duct 19, and the other chamber 53 is connected by a vent tube 62 with the re-roll vent duct 20 of the tracker bar. From the foregoing it will be seen that when the web or sheet 13 has been re-rolled onthe spool 11 to a point where the hole 14 registers with the tracker bar vent 19, air at atmospheric pressure will flood chamber 53, thus raising diaphragm 55 and valve 56, and placing pipe 59 in communication with the suction chamber 51, which will energize the motor bellows 37 and throw the clutch 28 into forward drive position. When the web has been wound on the receiving spool 12 to the point where the last section 13' is displayed, the registration of the hole 15 with the tracker bar vent duct 20 will effect the same operations on the other side of the pneumatic switch 52, and will energize the motor bellows 38, thereby shifting the clutch 28 so as to free the spool 12 and drive the spool 11, thus re-winding the web.

Describing next the automatic means by which a retarded or slow movement of the main motor 22 is effected, and referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, thevalve therein shown comprises a fixed base member 63 and a pivoted oscillating top member 64 superposed thereon. In the base member 63 are forme lfour spaced ducts 65, 66, 67 and 68 opening at their outer ends through the sides of the member 63 and at their inner ends through the top face of the member 63. The duct is connected by the tube 69 with the slow speed vent 21 of the tracker tube. The duct 66 is connected by a tube 70 with the chamber 44 (Fig. 7) of the suction control box 42. The ducts 67 and 68 communicate respectively with the two sections of the forward vent tube 61. In the lower face of the upper valve section 64 are formed arcuate channels 71 and 72. In the position of the valve illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the channel 71 connects the ducts 65 and 66, while the ducts 67 and 68 are not connected by channel 72. In thereverse position of the valve, shown in Fig. 5, the channel 71 disconnects the ducts 65 and 66 and channel 72 connects the ducts 67 and 68. On the shift-able top member 64 of the valve is a radial arm 73 that is connected by a link 74 and clip 75 with the clutch shifter rod 39, so that the valve is actuated each time the clutch is actuated.

Vith the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the web is being wound forwardly onto the receivin spool 12. Assuming that the forward winding has just begun, as soon as the first slot 16 of the web registers with the hole 21 of the tracker bar, air at atmospheric pressure rushes through tube 69, channel 71 and tube 70 into chamber 44 (Fig. 7 causing the pad 46 to close the end of pipe 48. The suction effect on the motor is thus reduced to such air as can flow through the small hole 49 and this greatly reduces the speed of the motor so long as the slot 16 registers with the tracker hole 21. The first section carrying the advertisement is thus rapidly drawn into view, and is then very slowly advanced through a period of time ample to enable the advertisement to be read. The instant the slot 16 passes beyond the tracker bar hole 21, the venting of the chamber 44 is arrested, and the vacuum therein is restored through the bleed duct 47, the diaphragm pad 46 uncovers the pipe 48, and the motor resumes normal speed, bringing the second section of the web into full view, whereupon the slot 16 pertaining to the second section operates in the same way to effect a retarded travel of the web, and so on until the last section of the web has been displayed. After the slow travel of the last section, the hole 15 of the web registers with the re-roll hole 20 of the tracker bar, the drive is automatically reversed, and the entire web is rapidly re-rolled until the hole 14 registers with the forward tracker bar hole 19, whereupon the described cycle is repeated. It will be observed that when the backward or re-roll drive is thrown in, the speed-controlling valve is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 5. so that the back travel of the slots 16 over the tracker port 21 has no effecton the motor, and at the same time the tube 61 is opened through the valve so that the next forward feed is thrown in the instant the hole 14 registers with the tracker hole 19.

In order that either the forward or back travel of the web may be arrested and reversed at any intermediate point, we provide a pair of tubes 76 and 77 (Fig. 1) that tap the vent lines 61 and 62, respectively, and lead into manually operable vent valves 7 8 and 79 conveniently mounted ina side member of the frame 10. For economy we utilize the well known pneumatic tire valve shown in Fig. 8, equipping each valve with a valve opener 80 adapted to be pushed down by the thumb or finger. Manifestly, by depressing either valve the forward or back ward movement. of the web is stopped and reversed.

WVe claim:

1. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, said web formed with spaced longitudinally aligned slots, a continuously running vacuum motor, means for drivingly connecting said motor alternately with said spools, a tracker bar having a vent duct controlling the strength of the suction on said'motor and adapted to register with Hit the slots of said web, and a normally open valve in said vacuum duct adapted to close the latter during the rewinding of said web.

2. In a changeable exhibitor of the type de scribed, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, said web formed with spaced longitudinally aligned slots, a continuously running vacuum motor, means, including a clutch, for drivingly connecting said motor alternately with said spools, a tracker bar having a vent duct controlling the strength of the suction on said motor and adapted to register with the slots of said web, a normally open valve in said vacuum duct adapted to close the latter during the rewinding of said web, and web-controlled means for simultaneously shifting said clutch and valve.

3. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, said web formed with spaced longitudinally aligned slots, a continuously running vacuum motor, means, including a clutch, for drivingly connecting said motor alternately with said spools, a tracker bar having a. vent duct controlling the strength of the suction on said motor and adapted to register with the slots of said web, a normally open valve in said vacuum duct, and means controlled by the web for simultaneously shifting said clutch and valve in one direction at the end of the forward travel of the web and for simultaneously shifting said clutch and valve in the reverse directions at the end of the re-wind travel of the web.

t. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, said web formed with spaced longitudinally aligned slots and with holes in its respective ends, a continuously running vacuum motor, means, including a pneumatic clutch motor and aclutch operated thereby, for drivingly connecting said vacuum motor alternately with said spools, a pneumatic switch controlling said clutch motor, a tracker bar having a vent duct functioning to reduce the strength of the suction on said vacuum motor and adapted to register with the slots of said web, and also vent ducts leading to said pneumatic switch adapted to register with the holes in the said web, a normally open valve in said first-named vent duct, and a connection between said clutch and said valve whereby both are actuated simultaneously.

5. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a

web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, said web formed with spaced longitudinally aligned slots and with holes in its respective ends, a continuously running vacuum motor, means, including a pneumatic clutch motor and a clutch operated thereby, for drivingly connecting said vacuum motor alternately with said spools, a pneumatic switch controlling said clutch 1110- tor, a tracker bar having a vent duct functioning to reduce the strength of the suction on said vacuum motor and adapted to register with the slots of said web, and also vent ducts leading to said pneumatic switch adapted to register with the holes in the said web, a normally open valve in said first-named vent duct, a connection between said clutch and said valve, other vent ducts respectively tapping said pneumatic switch vent ducts, and manually open valves normally sealing said other vent ducts. I

6. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a: web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, a continuously running vacuum motor, means for drivingly connect; ing said motor alternately with said spools, a suction pipe communicating with said motor, a suction governor interposed in said suction pipe, said governor providing a contin-. uously open restricted port for effecting uniform slow speed movements of said motor and an independent relatively large port for effecting uniform fast speed movements of said motor, and web-controlled means for alternately opening and closing said large port.

7. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, a continuously running vacuum motor, means for drivingly connecting said motor alternately with said spools, a suction pipe communicating with said motor, a suction governor interposed in said suction pipe, said governor providing a continuously open restricted port for effecting uniform slow speed movements of said motor and an'independent relatively large port for effecting uniform fast speed movements of said motor, a valve controlling said large port, and web-controlled means for shifting said valve to alternately open and close said large port.

8. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, a continuously running vacuum motor, means for drivingly connecting said motor alternately with said spools, a suction conduit between said motor and a source of suction, said conduit comprising a pipe leading from said source, a second pipe communicating with said motor, and a suc tion-control box connecting the adjacent ends of said pipes, said suction box containing a vacuum chamber with which the open ends of both of said pipes communicate, and said second pipe formed with a continuously open restricted port communicating with said vacuum chamber, a valve in said suction-control box, and web-controlled means for shifting said valve to alternately open and close the end of said second pipe.

9. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth between said spools, a continuously running vacuum motor, means for drivingly connect ing said motor alternately with said spools, a suction conduit between said motor and a source of suction, said conduit comprising a pipe leading from said source, a second pipe communicating with said motor, and a suction-control box connecting the adjacent ends of said pipes, said suction box containing a vacuum chamber with which the open ends of both of said pipes communicate, and said second pipe formed with a continuously open restricted lateral port communicating with said vacuum chamber, a normally open diaphragm valve in said suction-control box, and web-controlled means for shifting said valve to close the end of said second pipe.

10. In a changeable exhibitor of the type described, the combination of a frame, spools journaled on opposite ends of said frame, a web adapted to be wound back and forth be tween said spools, said web carrying a group of advertising displays respectively located on successive sections of uniform length, and formed with uniformly spaced slots of uniform length at corresponding ends of the sevcral sections respectively, a continuously running vacuum motor, means for drivingly connecting said vacuum motor alternately with said sp'ools, a tracker bar having a Vent duct adapted to register with the slots of said web, and means operated by pressure admitted through said vent duct functioning to reduce the strength of the suction on said vacuum motor while said slots are in register with said vent duct, said last-named means operating, by the suction on said motor, to restore said suction to full strength when said slots have passed out of register with said vent duct.

ALBERT A. HUSEBY. EDMOND A. HUSEBY. 

